Cotjet-house



6 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

R. H. MORROW.

CORN HARVESTER.

Patented Aug. 1o, 1886.

6 Sheets-Sheet 3.

R. 'H. MQRROW.

CORN HARVESTER.

Patented Aug. 10,1886.

n. versn; mmumsnpnar. wmingm. no

(No Model.) e sheets-sheet 4.

R. H. MORROW.

CORN HARVESTER.

, No. 347,301. Patented Aug. 10, '1886.

Inl/51755521' Fal.

s O R R 0 M E vR.

(No Model.)

CORN HARVESTER.

vPatentad Aug. 10

N. PETERS, Phmthagnpher. Walhingbn D. C

(No Model.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 6. R. H. MORROW.`

` CORN HARVESTER. N o. 347,301.

Patented Aug. 10, 1886.

Nla

N4 PETERS, PholwLhOgnpher.

wnhingm, n. c,

thai-*rn @rares Ferretti* trice.

RICHARD H. MORROW, OF lVASHINGTON COURT-HOUSE, SSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO JAMES MORROV, OF STEUBENVILLF, OHIO.

.CORN-HARVESTER.

HPEGFICATION formihg part of Letters Patent No. 347,301. dated 10, 1886.

Application tiled July 3l, 1585.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is.

a rear elevation, and Fig. 2 is a plan, of a cornharvester embodying my invention, the parts being at that stage ot` the operation immediately preceding t-he discharge of a bound bun dle. For compaetnessot' representation a portion ot' the main lrame is omitted from both figures. Fig. 3 is a plan ot' the knotting and bundling-devices in the stage of operation im-v mediatelypreeedingclosure oftheneedle. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the needle, viewed from below. Fig. 5 is a vertical section ofthe track and the lateral guide on the line 5 5, Fig. 3. Fig. G is a vertical transverse section of the lngeubar and sickle. Fig. 7 is a plan of the cradle in its open position. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a pair of the conveyerlingers. Fig. 9 is an end elevation of the knotter mechanism. Figs. 10 and l1 are perspective representations of details ot' the knotter mechanism detached. Fig. 2 is an end View ofthe gripping and severing pinion. Figs. 1.3, 14,15, and 16 are longitudinal sections through parts of the knotter mechanism, showing its action upon the binding-wire at successive stages ot' the operation. Fig. 17 is atop view ofthe rear portion of the lower sprocket-chain of the main conduit, with its carrying-wheel and guide. Fig. 18 is a front view ot' the machine.

Ifhave illustrated my invention by a machine designed to-cnt two rows of corn at a time; but it isV evident that the principle is applicable to the cutting of a single row at a time, or even ot a greater number of rows than two. l

A represents a frame supported on two ground-wheels, B B', ot' which one wheel, B, is connected by means of suitable transmit- 5o ting mechanism, C, with the operative parts; I vertical shafts Serial No. 173,158. (No mndel.)

The connection of said wheel with its transv mitting mechanism is preferablyy made through customary pawl and ratchet, (nothere showm) in order that the machine shall be operative as a harvester in its forward movements only.

A customary clutch-connection (not here shown) is also preferably added, to enable optional disconnection of the operative parts from the said wheel.

Dv represents a portion of the tongue t0 6o which the team is hitched.

E are sickle guides or lingers pitched obliquely upward at an angle ot' about thirly degrees with the horizon, and containing the correspondiugly-pitched sickle-.bar F, which has as many sets or groups ot' knivesf as there are rc ws to' be cut-in the present illustration, two. rlhe upward pitch of the sickle bar enables it to more readily sever the stalks. Im-

mediately in rear of the sickle-bar is a plat- 7o form, G, of the peculiar form shown.

Attached to the frame, immediately in front of the two sets of sickle-knives, are llaring gatherers H H, that, being prolonged rearward, constitute two inlets, l 1', to the main 75 passage l, that conducts direct tothe place ot' binding. These several parts constitute my Y-formed conduit I I l".

Journaled in the frame, near the respective conduits, are two pairs of vertical shafts, of 8o which one shaft, J or J, in each pair has two toothed driving pulleys or sprockets, KK K' K, and of which the other shaft, L or L', in each pair has two plain pulleys, M MLL M Mm.

Engaged around these pulleys are two pairs of endless chains, N NNN/Nm, ot' which each chain is composed, in regular succession, of groups of two or more open links, a, which engage over the sprocket-teeth and of interposed solid links, a. erably interposed between every two consecutivesolid links. SeeFigs. 2, 3, and 18.) Each f solid link of the lower chain, N or N', has projecting horizontally from it a. stud, n,

which carries a roller, n, which rests upon and is guided by a track, O or O'. The corresponding solid links of the upper and lower chains of ea'eh pair are united at regular intervals by and constitute journal-.bearings for rIhree or more open links are pref- 9o P', of whicheach carries near 1 :e

the lower chain a firmly-attached L-formed linger, Q. or Q', and near the upper chain a linger, Q or Qi. Y

Each shaft l. or I has immediately below 'its L-formed linger au anti-friction roller, ai", and each L-f'ormed linger has at the extremity of its short limb an anti-friction roller, n".

n In order to permit easy passage ofthe solidKV links a', those parts of the sprockets which in rotation come in contact with said solid links are blank or toothless, as shown at R is a lixed and lt" lt are yielding sections of lateral guides for the rollers n" on the cxtremities of the short limbs ot' the L-formed lingers Q. of the main conduit I I.

R'" is a lixed lateral guide for the L -formed fingers (g' ofthe brauch conduit l'.

The yielding section R has its front end pivoted, as at i', tothe frame, its obliquelyformed rear extremity, r', being pressed by spring S against the corresponding oblique portion, r, of the lixed section R.

The purpose ofthe partially-yielding section lt is as follows: Accumulation of material in front of the closed needle exerts a back pressure against the long limb of an approaching L-formed linger, whose short limb is thus caused to press open the rear or yielding end of the section R/,and to permit passage th rough the opening n. thus made of the roller n" on the said short limb, causing the lingeritself to fold up against or under the chain conveyerand to permit continued progress thereof' unimpeded by the closely-packed mass ot stalks. rlhe linger having been once thus folded, remains so until its escape from the material,and resumes its rigidly-projecting condition as its roller is dellected and returned to the outer wall of the guide lt at the return-run of the chain by the impact against it ol' the beveled extremity ri" of said guide, as shown in Fig. 17. flach succeeding linger, so long as the needle remains closed, undergoes the same folding action. 'Retrograde stroke of the needle removing the impediment to the material, the openingn"i closes, afterwhichall thelingers retain the projecting position with which they enter the conduit, the above-described automatic folding action of the lingers being resumed on reclosurc by the needle.

The section It is capable of yielding bodily on lateral guides 1", and is retained normally in continuity of the tixed sections by means of springs S.

The bodily yielding section R" has two uses-namely, lirst, to permit partial deflection of the conveyer-lingers in crowding past a nearly-charged cradle, and, secondly, to permita greater linger-deflection and correspondingly greater yield of the section in the presence ot' a fully-charged cradle as part of the instrumental ities for starting the binder mechanism, as hereinafter explained.

The rear extremity or outlet of the Y-formed conduit is temporarily closed by a crib or cradle, T, which is capable ot' partial rotation about a vertical shaft, U, and which consists of three or more prongs, of which the lower prongs consist of a curved limb, t, whiehextends athwart the outlet, and in which the stalks collect and are held for binding, and a straight limb, t', which extends forward and to one side of the conduit, and which, on the rearward swing of the cradle, operates to assist in discharging thetbou-nd bundle. The uppermost prong, t", of said. cradle is identical in shape with the lower ones, except in possessing no straight limb. lts otlice is to support the rear side ofthe bundle against the pressure of the compressor-arm of the needle and to coact with said arm in bringing the gavel to proper shape and thickness for binding. An eye, t, on the next to the top prong of the cradle has bolted to it a rod, V, whose nnattached end occupies a sheath, XV, provided with a spiral spring, X, and whose slot w is occupied by a pin, 12,011 the rod Y, to enable retraction of the cradle at the proper moment. The spring Xpermits a slight yield of the cradle in event ol' excessive crowding of material between it and the compressorarm. The sheath 'W is pivoted at ir to one extremity of a bell-crank, Y, pivoted to the frame at y, and whose other extremity has a downtnrned wrist, y, which occupies a camgroove, z, in an upper wheel, Z, that is alternately rotated and brought to rest, ina man- Y ner to be presently explained.

Z is a lower wheel, and both the wheels Z Z are keyed fast to a vertical shalt,

In the posit-ion of the parts shown in Fig. 3 the wheels Z Z, being at rest, operate to hold the cradle firmly to the place indicated in said ligure, being that suitable for receiving and holding for the action of the bindingneedle a charge of stalks sufficient for a bnndle, and the shape ofthe cam-groove is such as not to disturb that condition, even after commencement ot' motion of the wheels Z Z', until the proper moment for discharge of a bound bundle. Such discharge is accomplished by the backward swing of the cradle described in the sequel.

A vertical shaft, l, journaled in the frame, has rigidly attached to it the shank 2 ot' needle 3, whose curve is concentric with said shaft. The portion 2' of the needle-shank is curved concavely. so that when the needle is closed, as shown in Fig. 2, an approximately circular space is inclosed between said portion 2and the outer compressor-arm, t. This portion 2' of the needle-shank constitutes a compressor-arm. Extendingl'rom and pivoted to the shank 2 is a tuckerarm, l, which is curved like the curve 2 of the needle 3, and has at its extremity a notch, 5, to engage with the binding-wire. The heel 6 of said arm has a wrist, 7, which occupies and traverses a slotted bracket, S, having the represented form, whereby as the needle proper approximates its closed position the said notched end 5 of the arm is made to advance more rapidly than the needle itself, so as to engage with the binding-wire and to push or tuck said wire against the gavcl IIO synchronously operated by suitable connection with the wheel Z. The needleeonnection consists of a crank, 9,011 the shaft of said wheel, that is coupled by rod .with crankarm 11 on said needle-shaft, whose radial length sufficiently exceeds that of said crank as for each crank-rotation to prod-nce the desired sweep of the needle.

rllhe twister mechanism is constructed as follows: Bolted iirmly upon the frame aretwo yokes, 12 13, whose eircnlaroritices 14 receive the l cylindrical collars 16 17 of the twister proper, to which the said yokes serve as jonrnal-bearings. The said yokes have on their front sides gates or inlets .18 19, to admit the binding-wire, irst in the closingand afterward in the opening action ofthe needle. The said eollarslG 17, being both rigidly fastened to a shaft, 20, revolve and stop simultaneously. and botlrhave diametrically-opposite gates `or notches 2l, that are capable of being brought into coincidence with the yoke-inlets 1S 19. The intervening unnotchcd portions of the collar 16 have iiattened depressions 22, to enable arrest of rotation of both ycollars for sev ering the wire between the gavel and needle,` gripping the end of the wire which reinains connectedto the needle, and releasing the end previously so gripped. The portion ofthe periphery of the collar 17 nearest to the collar 16 is so indented as to produce a series of cogs, 23, twelve in number. rPhe inner face of said collar 17 has a boss, 17, which holds the loose pinion (to be presently described) sufficiently aloof to grip, without cutting, that portion of the wire which, after the severing action, remains connected with the needle. Said face has also two diametrically-opposite depressions, 2t, to facilitate escape at the proper moment of the thus-gripped wire. Revolving loosely on shaft 20, between thecollars 16 and 17, is a pinion, 25, havingthe cogs- 26, corresponding to those of-the collar 17, and having between the pairs of said cogs a gate or indentation, 27, like the-gates 21. In order to insure severing of the wire, the pinion 25, revolves in close juxtaposition to the coilar 16,

and with the same object in view one salient angle, 2S, of each alternate cog of said pinion is sharp, so that vit will coact with the opposite angle, 29, of the said collar for severance ofthe wire between the gavel and the needle. r[he intermediate angles of said pinion are cham fered, as at 30, to permit the previouslygripped end of the wire to escape simultaneously with the severance of the wire between the gavel and the needle, sons to completely release the bound bundle and permit .of its discharge. Se journaled in the frame, and of such breadth as to gear with both collar17 andpinion 25, is a spur-wheel, 31, of thirtytwo cogs. The nuxnberof said cogs may, however, be increased by twelve or some multiple of twelve. These cogs on the sideofsaid spurwheel that gears with the pinion 25 are complete; but on the side which gears .with the collar 17 two consecutive cogs are obliterated, so as to leave a vacant space, 32, and adjoining said space one cog, 33, is truncated. Opposite the same space the said spur-wheel has a wing, 34, whose engagement in one of the depressions 22 of the collar 16 operates to arrest .rotation of both collars while the pinion 25 is driven through an are corresponding to two teeth, orone-sixth of its circumference. This movement of the pinion 25 relatively to the collars 16 17 operates to grip and hold that part of the wirefsee Figs. 13 and 1st) which is connected with the needle, and also operates tosever that part of it (see :r x, Fig. 14)'.that is connected with the bound bundle, and to simultaneously release the previouslypinched end, now on the opposite side of the twister, such release being facilitated (see x x x, Fig. 15) by the depressions 24 in the collar 17and the ehamfers 3() in the pinion 25. Finally, the needle, in retreating, pulls the wire from position 17, Fig. 11, to the place just vacated by the bundlewi re. (See x x .fr a",

Fig. 16.)

lt is apparent that each revolution of the lspur-wheel 3l is accompanied by two and a half. revolutions of the collars 16 17 and by two and two thirds revolutions of the pinion 25.` By increasing, as above mentioned, the number of coge' in the spurwhecl, the number .of revolutions of saideollars and pinion may beiucreased by any whole number, according to the twist to be given to the wire.

The yresquisite intermittent revolution of wheel 31 is secured by the following means: The shaft 35 of said wheel carries alsoa bevelwheel, 36, which meshes in a segment-rack, 37, on the crown of the wheel Z, and which occupies about one-sixth of its circuit. The number of cogs in said rack correspond with those on said bevel-wheel; but its two end cogs are sufficiently truncated to restrict said wheel to one complete rotation at any one time. A. segment-Harige, 38, on said shaft 35, by bearing with its flat edgev against the fiat crown of wheel Z, prevents rotation of the bevel-wheel 36 and its attached wheel 31., except when sai`d bevel-wheel is in mesh with said segment-rack 37.

rlhe rotation of the wheels Z Z/ is also inter mittent, and is effected by the following means: rllhe under side of the wheel Z is cogged around its entire circuit, constituting a bevel-wheel,which meshes in a bevel-pinion, 39, on a shaft, 40, whose opposite end has a bcvel-] )inien, 41., that meshes in a bevel-pin-v ion, 42, which revolves loosely on a shaft, 43, that forms part ofthe transmitting mecha nism. Revolving with and slidable upon the shaft 43 is a clutch, L14,- whose spring 45 tends to press it into engagement with the bevel-pinion 42, so

ICO

IZO

ISO

as, at the proper juncture, to communicate the rotative movement of the transmitting mechanism to said pinion, and thence to the wheels Z Z. Connected to the clutch 44 is a lever, 4G, to whose rear end is pivoted a trigger, 47 against which, at a certain part of the rotation of the wheel Z', impinges a tappet or projection, 4S, upon the said wheel. The impingement of said tappet against said trigger, by vibrating the lever, operates to unclntch the bevel-pinion 42, so as to again reduce to rest both said pinion and its driven members, including the wheels Z Z', and to cause a temporary suspension of all the functions ofsaid wheels, including that of moving the needle. The parts are so arranged that this takes place when the needle has reached its most open position. (See Fig. 3.) The details ofthis stopping and starting or tripper mechanism are shown in Figs. 2 and 3, in which the preferable L form of trigger 47 is shown', the said trigger being held normally to the position for engagement of the tappet 48 against its lip 49 by means of a spring, 50. The short arm 5l of the said trigger is connected with the yielding section R" of the guide R R' R" by means of a rod, 52. This connection forms part of the instrumentalities whereby, at the proper `iuncture, the various functions dependent on rotation of the wheels Z Z' are resumed. This action of the said connection will now be explained.

Vhen stalks in sufficient quantity for a bundle have accumulated against the cradle, their back-pressure, operating through the L-formed fingers, forces away from the conduit the guide-section R". (See Fig. 3.) This motion being communicated through the rod 52, operates to trip the trigger 47, so as to permit reeugagement of the clutch 44, and consequent resumption of rotation of the wheels Z Z', and to produce in rapid succession the closure ofthe needle and compressor arm 3 and tucker 4, the engagement of a new portion of wire within the twister, the latters rotation, so as to twist the two strands of wire upon each other, the gripping of the needle end of the wire and severance therefrom of the end which connects with the bundle, the simultaneous release ofthe previously-gripped portion, the discharge of the bound bndle by momentary retraction of the cradle, the return of said cradle to the closed condition and the retraction ofthe needle, so as to bring an additional length of wire into service for the ensuing bundle, and to enable the L-forined and their associated fingers to maintain their projecting position, and to effectively sweep back and pack, stalk by stalk, the material entering the gatherers.

Retraction of the cradle (for discharge of the bound bundle) and its return to normal position is brought about by the action on the wrist y' of the cam-groove z of the wheel Z. This groove is seen to consist of two concentric arcs of unequal radii with uniting portions, making a complete circuit.

The location of the tappet 4S on the wheel Z.' is such as, when the needle has reached its extreme retraction, to re-engage the trigger47, so as to disconnect the binding apparatus from the driving mechanism, and to reduce the operation to the simple act of accumulating material for the ensuing bundle.

Any customary or approved device may be employed for taking up the slack of the wire, which is produced during the closing stroke of the needle.

I have described the preferred number of cogs, ingers, Sie.; but the samemay be varied at discretion, so long as the same relative motions are secured. For example, the rotations of' the twister, instead of being two anda half, may be three and a half er four and a half, according to the number of twists to be given to the wire, but must always be some whole number plus one-half.

The described upslant of the sickle bar enables it to more easily sever the stalks than if' it cut them at right angles to their length.

I claim as new and of my invention- 1. In a corn-harvester, the combination of the following elements, to wit: the conduit I I", whose lateral guide R has the yielding sections R' R", and the endless eonveyer composed of chains N N', driven from one of the ground-wheels, and having the fingers Q Q, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a cornharvester, the combination, with endless chain N, driven from one of the ground-wheels, and having the series of L- formed pivoted fingers Q, of the partiallyyieldiug guidelsection R', as and foiI the purposes explained.

3. In a corn-harvester, the conveycr-chain N, in which, alternating with one or more open links, are closed links, each having ar stud projection, a", for a supporting-roller, a, and each constituting the j ournal-bearing of a vertical shaft I carrviug a conve Ycrfin ger, Q, as set forth.

4. 1n a corn-harvester, the combination, with continuous tracks O, and with sprocket and carrier wheels K K M M, of a pair of conveyer-chains, N N, of which each has a series of equidistant links, n', each of said links in the lower chain having a horizontal stud, a", for a supporting-roller, a', and bcing connected to the corresponding link in the upper chain by a vertical shaft, I), which carries an L-formed finger, Q, near the lower chain, and a plain finger, Q, near the upper chain, as and for the purpose designated.

5. In a wire-binding corn harvester, the twister mechanism composed of the gated journalbearings 12 13, the gated cylindrical collars 1G 17 of the shaft 20, the collar 16 having peripheral depressions 22, and the collar 17 having cogs 23 and face-depressions 24, said shaft carrying between said collars theloosely-revolving cogged, gated, and chamfered pinion 25, said collars and pinion being combined with theintermittingly-rotated spurwheel 31, yhaving the vacant space 32, and the IOO Wing 34, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. p

6. The combination, in t corn-harvester, with the interniittingly-rotated Wheels Z Z', having the teppet 48, of the trein of drivinggears 38 39 41 42, the spring-Clutch 44 on 2L shaft of the transmitting mechanism, the lever 46, pivoted on the frame, carrying the trigger 47, and the rod 52, extending from said trigger tothe yielding gnideseetion R", substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In n corn-liztrvester, in eonibinittionwith compressor-arm 2 and with the eam-grooved wheel Z, and yielding connection V \V X Y, the swinging and yielding` eradleTat the out let of the main conduit, having three or more prongs, of which the lower ones have a curved portion, t, for support :tud a straight portion, t', for discharge of the bundle, and of .which the uppermost pron g, t, consists of a Curved portion only, and is on a levelwith and eoacts with the compressor-arm 4 to conipress the bundle preparatory to and during binding, as set forth.

In testimony of which invention I have heren nto set my hand.

RICHARD H. MORROV.' W'itnesses:

GEO. H. KNIGHT, J R. FORAKER. 

